Heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger comprises a housing, a guide member, a return member and a discharge member. The housing includes a plurality of parallel flow passages. The housing includes a first end face and a second end face each having openings. The guide member, the return member and the discharge member are fixed to the first end face or the second end face. The plurality of flow passages are connected by the return member into a single flow passage. The guide member and the discharge member are provided in the opening on a most upstream side and a most downstream of the single flow passage, respectively. At least one of the guide member, the return member and the discharge member integrally includes an attachment portion attached to the housing; and a protruding portion protruding more than the attachment portion toward the housing and including an inclined surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-4245 includes a box-shaped housing that opens upward, partition plates for partitioning the inside of the housing into a U-shaped flow passage, a guide tube defining a guide channel communicating with an end of the flow passage, a discharge tube defining a discharge channel communicating with the other end of the flow passage, and a thermal member attached to the housing in a manner to cover the opening of the housing. The thermal member includes a plate covering the upper opening of the housing, a Peltier device (thermoelectric conversion device) provided on the plate, and fins extending into the flow passage from the plate. Therefore, a heat medium introduced in the flow passage of the housing from the guide tube flows through the housing while exchanging heat with the fin, and is discharged from the discharge tube.

A heat exchanger described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 09-280772 includes a tubular housing, a tube plate covering one end of the housing, a hemispherical member covering the other end of the housing, and a heat transfer tube provided in the housing. A heat medium is introduced from a guide channel formed in proximity to the other end of the housing, exchanges heat with the heat transfer tube, and is discharged from a drain channel formed in proximity to the one end of the housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the heat medium causes a pressure drop in areas such as in proximity to the guide channel and the discharge channel and in a return area. Accordingly, a need exists for a heat exchanger having a structure that is easily formed and capable of feeding a heat medium more smoothly.

According one aspect of the invention, a heat exchanger comprising a housing, a guide member, a return member and a discharge member is provided. The housing includes a plurality of parallel flow passages. The plurality of flow passages includes a first end and a second end; a first end face having openings open to the first end of the plurality of flow passages; and a second end face having openings open to the second end of the plurality of flow passages. The guide member is fixed to either the first face or the second end face at a position of one of the openings and having a guide channel. The return member is fixed to the first end face in a manner to extend over a pair of the openings in the first end face or fixed to the second end face in a manner to extend over a pair of the openings in the second end face, for connecting the pair of openings in a return manner. The discharge member is fixed to any one of the first face and second end face at the position of one of the openings and having a discharge channel. The plurality of flow passages are connected by the return member into a single flow passage. The guide member is provided in the opening on a most upstream side of the single flow passage. The discharge member is provided in the opening on a most downstream side of the single flow passage. At least one of the guide member, the return member and the discharge member integrally includes an attachment portion attached to the housing; and a protruding portion protruding more than the attachment portion toward the housing and including an inclined surface inclining relative to a flow direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a heat exchange system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an elastic member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a heat exchange system 10 is provided for a vehicle, for example, and includes a heat exchanger (heating and cooling unit) 1, a radiator 11, and an indoor heat exchanger 14. The radiator 11 is connected to an engine 12 of the vehicle by a pipe 20. A pump 13 provided in the middle of the pipe 20 circulates a first heat medium (coolant fluid) between the engine 12 and the radiator 11. The first heat medium receives heat from the engine 12 and releases the heat from the radiator 11 to outside air.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 is connected to the radiator 11 in parallel with the engine 12 by a pipe 21 connected to the pipe 20. The first heat medium is cooled by receiving cold from the heat exchanger 1 via the pipes 20 and 21. Therefore, the first heat medium can be cooled by not only the radiator 11 but also the heat exchanger 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 is connected by a pipe 22 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. A pump 15 provided in the middle of the pipe 22 circulates a second heat medium (coolant fluid) between the heat exchanger 1 and the indoor heat exchanger 14. The second heat medium receives heat from the heat exchanger 1 to release the heat from the indoor heat exchanger 14 to indoor air. Therefore, it is possible to heat the interior by the indoor heat exchanger 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 1 includes a housing 3 and a plurality of Peltier modules (thermal members) 2 provided in the housing 3. The housing 3 includes a first case 40, a second case 50, and a converter case 6, which are stacked in the thickness direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first case 40 includes a case body 41. The case body 41 is made of resin and molded with a molding die. The case body 41 includes a top portion 41 a, side walls 41 b extending downward from edges on both sides of the top portion 41 a, a first end face 41 c extending downward from a front edge of the top portion 41 a, and a second end face 41 d extending downward from a back edge of the top portion 41 a that are integrally formed. A pair of partition plates 41 j are formed on the top portion 41 a to extend from the front edge to the back edge to partition the inside of the first case 40. A plurality of parallel flow passages 46 a and 46 b are formed by the partition plates 41 j in the first case 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the second case 50 includes a case body 51. The case body 51 is made of resin and molded with a molding die. The case body 51 includes a bottom portion 51 a, side walls 51 b extending upward on edges on both sides of the bottom portion 51 a, a first end face 51 c extending upward on a front edge of the bottom portion 51 a, and a second end face 51 d extending upward on a back edge of the bottom portion 51 a that are integrally formed. A pair of partition plates 51 j are formed on the bottom portion 51 a to extend from the front edge to the back edge to partition the inside of the second case 50. A plurality of parallel flow passages 56 a and 56 b are formed by the partition plates 51 j in the second case 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the case bodies 41 and 51 include beams 41 h and 51 h extending between the partition plates 41 j and 51 j and the side walls 41 b and 51 b. The beams 41 h and 51 h are apart from the top portion 41 a and the bottom portion 51 a respectively to avoid the blockage of the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b. The case bodies 41 and 51 are partitioned into a plurality of accommodating areas (for example, 10 accommodating areas) by the beams 41 h and 51 h, the partition plates 41 j and 51 j, and the side walls 41 b and 51 b. The upper part of each Peltier module 2 is housed in each accommodating area of the case body 41. The lower part of each Peltier module 2 is housed in each accommodating area of the case body 51.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, first openings 41 f and 51 f open to the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b are formed on the first end faces 41 c and 51 c. Guide members 42 and 52 and discharge members 43 and 53 are attached to the first end faces 41 c and 51 c. Second openings 41 g and 51 g open to the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b are provided in the second end faces 41 d and 51 d. Return members 44 and 54 are attached to the second end faces 41 d and 51 d.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the guide members 42 and 52 and the discharge members 43 and 53 are made of resin and molded with a molding die. The guide members 42 and 52 and the discharge members 43 and 53 include plate-shaped attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 52 a, and 53 a attached to the first end faces 41 c and 51 c. The attachment portions 42 a and 52 a and the attachment portions 43 a and 53 a are integrally molded.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the guide members 42 and 52 include guide tubes 42 b and 52 b protruding from the attachment portions 42 a and 52 a. Guide channels 42 f and 52 f communicating with the first flow passages 46 a and 56 a are formed in the guide tubes 42 b and 52 b and the attachment portions 42 a and 52 a. The discharge members 43 and 53 include discharge tubes 43 b and 53 b protruding from the attachment portions 43 a and 53 a. Discharge channels 43 f and 53 f communicating with the second flow passages 46 b and 56 b are formed in the discharge tubes 43 b and 53 b and the attachment portions 43 a and 53 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 52 c and 53 c protruding toward the cases 40 and 50 are formed on the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 52 a and 53 a. Each protruding portion 42 c, 43 c, 52 c and 53 c is generally triangular, and includes an outer surface 42 d, 43 d, 52 d and 53 d and an inclined surface 42 e, 43 e, 52 e and 53 e, respectively. The protruding portions 42 c, 43 c and 52 c, 53 c are fitted into the first openings 41 f and 51 f. Each of the outer surface 42 d, 43 d, 52 d and 53 d contacts with an inner circumferential surface of the first openings 41 f and 51 f. The inclined surfaces 42 e and 52 e are inclined relative to the guide channels 42 f and 52 f such that, as the inclined surfaces 42 e and 52 e are farther from the guide channels 42 f and 52 f, the cross sections of the flow passages become larger. The inclined surfaces 43 e and 53 e are inclined relative to the discharge channels 43 f and 53 f such that, as the inclined surfaces 43 e and 53 e are closer to the discharge channels 43 f and 53 f, the cross sections of the flow passages become smaller.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 52 a and 53 a define recesses along the first openings 41 f and 51 f. Seal members 47 a, 47 b, 57 a and 57 b for providing fluid tightness between the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 52 a and 53 a, and the first end faces 41 c and 51 c are accommodated in the recesses. The attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 52 a and 53 a are attached to outer surfaces of the first end faces 41 c and 51 c with fittings such as screws.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the return members 44 and 54 are made of resin and molded with a molding die. The return members 44 and 54 include attachment portions 44 a and 54 a attached to the second end faces 41 d and 51 d, and pairs of protruding portions 44 c and 54 c protruding from the attachment portions 44 a and 54 a. The protruding portions 44 c and 54 c are generally triangular and include outer surfaces 44 d and 54 d and inclined surfaces 44 e and 54 e.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the protruding portions 44 c and 54 c are fitted into the second openings 41 g and 51 g, and the outer surfaces 44 d and 54 d come into contact with inner circumferential surfaces of the second openings 41 g and 51 g. The inclined surfaces 44 e and 54 e are inclined relative to the opposed flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b toward the other flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b. Specifically, the inclined surface 44 e is inclined to approach the attachment portion 44 a as the inclined surface 44 e extends away from the outer surfaces 44 d and the inclined surface 54 e is inclined to approach the attachment portion 54 a as the inclined surface 54 e extends away from the outer surfaces 54 d. Accordingly, it is possible for a heat medium to smoothly return and flow from the first flow passages 46 a and 56 a to the second flow passages 46 b and 56 b. Concave portions are formed along the second openings 41 g and 51 g in the attachment portions 44 a and 54 a. Seal members 47 c and 57 c providing fluid tightness between the attachment portions 44 a and 54 a and the second end faces 41 d and 51 d are accommodated in the recesses. The attachment portions 44 a and 54 a are attached to outer surfaces of the second end faces 41 d and 51 d with fittings such as screws.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case bodies 41 and 51 include a plurality of cylinder portions 41 e and 51 e protruding outward from the side walls 41 b and 51 b. A metal tube 45 and 55 is provided in each cylinder portion 41 e and 51 e. The metal tubes 45 and 55 are formed of metal such as brass and are inserted in molding the case bodies 41 and 51. The metal tubes 45 and 55 penetrate the cylinder portions 41 e and 51 e in a height direction. The first metal tube 45 includes a protruding end 45 a protruding from the cylinder portion 41 e to the second metal tube 55. The second metal tube 55 includes a protruding end 55 a protruding from the cylinder portion 51 e to the first metal tube 45. The second metal tube 55 has a smaller inner diameter than that of the first metal tube 45. A female thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the second metal tube 55.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, accommodating recesses 41 m and 51 m and small recesses 41 k and 51 k are formed on opposed surfaces in the case bodies 41 and 51. The central part (the Peltier devices 2 a and the substrates 2 b and 2 c) of the Peltier module 2 is housed in the accommodating recesses 41 m and 51 m. The depths of the accommodating recesses 41 m and 51 m are larger than the thickness of the central part of the Peltier module 2. Specifically, the thickness of the central part of the Peltier module 2 is smaller than the distance between the bottom surface 41 n of the accommodating recess 41 m and the bottom surface 51 n of the accommodating recesses 51 m when the case bodies 41 and 51 are assembled together. The small recesses 41 k and 51 k are formed along outer regions of the accommodating recesses 41 m and 51 m. Elastic members 8 and 9 are provided in the small recesses 41 k and 51 k.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the elastic members 8 and 9 are made of rubber and are in the form of annular plates. The widths 8 a and 9 a of the elastic members 8 and 9 are larger than the thicknesses 8 b and 9 b of the elastic members 8 and 9. The elastic members 8 and 9 are formed in a manner to set the plate widths 8 a and 9 a to a height direction and in a manner to be annular in a longitudinal direction. The elastic members 8 and 9 are formed in a square ring as similar to the small recesses 41 k and 51 k (see FIG. 4). The widths 8 a and 9 a are greater than the depths of the small recesses 41 k and 51 k (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, the elastic members 8 and 9 contact with the substrates 2 b and 2 c of the Peltier module 2 in an elastically deformed state. The elastic deformation amounts of the elastic members 8 and 9 are approximately 1 mm, for example. The elastic members 8 and 9 provide fluid tightness between the substrates 2 b and 2 c and the case bodies 41 and 51.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an annular recess is formed outside the Peltier modules 2 in the case body 41. A seal member 18 for providing fluid tightness between the case body 41 and the case body 51 is provided in the recess. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of openings 48 are formed at the center of the top portion 41 a of the case body 41. The openings 48 are covered with the converter case 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the converter case 6 is made of aluminum and integrally includes a bottom portion 6 a and an external wall 6 b extending upward on the periphery of the bottom portion 6 a. A plurality of ring portions 6 c protruding outward are formed on the external wall 6 b. The ring portions 6 c make contact with ends of the first metal tubes 45. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an annular recess is formed outside the opening 48 in the case body 41. A seal member 17 for providing fluid tightness between the case body 41 and the converter case 6 is provided in the recess.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cases 40 and 50 and the converter case 6 are stacked in the thickness direction and joined by connectors 7. The connector or bolt 7 integrally includes a head portion 7 a and a screw body 7 b that is thinner than the head portion 7 a. A male thread is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a screw body 7 b. The screw body 7 b penetrates through a hole 6 d of the ring portion 6 c and the first metal tube 45, and is threaded into the second metal tube 55. The head portion 7 a contacts with an end of the ring portion 6 c. Alternatively, the screw body 7 b may penetrate through the first metal tube 45, may be threaded to the second metal tube 55, and the head portion 7 a may make contact with the end of the first metal tube 45.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the Peltier module 2 that serves as a thermal member includes Peltier devices 2 a, the substrates 2 b and 2 c, and fins 2 d and 2 e. The Peltier device 2 a is formed of different metals, conductors or semiconductors. The Peltier device 2 a exerts the Peltier effect by the feed of direct current, absorbs heat while either one of a first heat side and a second heat side serves as a heat absorber, and dissipates heat while the other serves as a heat dissipator. A plurality of Peltier devices 2 a is provided between the first and second substrates 2 b and 2 c. The first heat side of the Peltier device 2 a contacts with and is soldered to the first substrate 2 b, and the second heat side of the Peltier device 2 a contacts with and is soldered to the second substrate 2 c.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fins 2 d and 2 e protrude from the substrates 2 b and 2 c in a direction opposite to the Peltier device 2 a. The fins 2 d and 2 e are in the form of plate and zigzag. Gaps 2 f and 2 g are formed between the zigzags. The gaps 2 f and 2 g extend in longitudinal directions of the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b in order not to block the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a converter 16 is mounted on the converter case 6. The converter 16 is electrically connected to terminals 49 extending from the case body 41. The converter 16 converts a voltage input to the converter 16 into a predetermined voltage to supply direct current to the terminals 49. Direct current is supplied to the Peltier devices 2 a of the Peltier modules 2 (see FIG. 4) via non-illustrated wiring extending from the terminals 49 within the case body 41. The supply of current causes the Peltier device 2 a to absorb heat via the first fin 2 d and the first substrate 2 b, and dissipate heat via the second substrate 2 c and the second fin 2 e.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first heat medium is supplied by the pump 13 to the first case 40 via the pipes 20 and 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first heat medium is introduced from the guide channel 42 f to the first flow passage 46 a, and is discharged from the discharge channel 43 f via the second flow passage 46 b. The first heat medium flows through the flow passages 46 a and 46 b and accordingly receives cold from the Peltier device 2 a via the first fin 2 d and the first substrate 2 b (see FIG. 4).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second heat medium is supplied by the pump 15 to the second case 50 via the pipe 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second heat medium is introduced from the guide channel 52 f to the first flow passage 56 a, and is discharged from the discharge channel 53 f via the second flow passage 56 b. The second heat medium flows through the flow passages 56 a and 56 b and accordingly receives heat from the Peltier device 2 a via the second fin 2 e and the second substrate 2 c (see FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second heat medium flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14 to release heat into the indoor air.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flow direction of the first heat medium in the first case 40 is opposed to the flow direction of the second heat medium in the second case 50. Therefore, a difference between the heat absorption side and heat dissipation side of the Peltier module 2 is small between the Peltier modules 2. Accordingly, the overall thermal efficiency is high.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first heat medium contacts with the converter case 6 via the openings 48 of the case body 41. The first heat medium receives the heat emitted from the converter 16 via the converter case 6. Therefore, the first heat medium cools the converter 16.

As described above, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the heat exchanger 1 includes the housing 3, the guide members 42 and 52, the return members 44 and 54 and the discharge members 43 and 53. A plurality of parallel flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b are formed in the housing 3. The housing 3 has the first end faces 41 c and 51 c where the first openings 41 f and 51 f open to the first end of the plurality of flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b are provided, and the second end faces 41 d and 51 d where the second openings 41 g and 51 g open to the second end of the plurality of flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b are provided. The guide members 42 and 52 are fixed to the first end faces 41 c and 51 c at the positions of the first openings 41 f and 51 f. The guide members 42 and 52 define the guide channels 42 f and 52 f therein. Each return member 44 and 54 is fixed to the second end face 41 d and 51 d in a manner to extend over a pairs of the second openings 41 g and 51 g provided in the second end face 41 d and 51 d, for connecting the pairs of the second openings 41 g and 51 g in a returned manner. The discharge members 43 and 53 are fixed to the first end faces 41 c and 51 c at the positions of the first openings 41 f and 51 f. The discharge members define the discharge channels 43 f and 53 f therein. The plurality of flow passages 46 a and 46 b and 56 a and 56 b are connected by the return members 44 and 54 into single flow passages. The guide members 42 and 52 are provided in the openings 41 f and 51 f on the most upstream sides of the single flow passages, and the discharge members 43 and 53 are provided in the openings 41 f and 51 f on the most downstream sides of the single flow passages. The guide members 42 and 52, the return members 44 and 54 and the discharge members 43 and 53 integrally include the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a attached to the housing 3, and the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c protruding toward the housing 3 more than the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a and having the inclined surfaces 42 e, 43 e, 44 e, 52 e, 53 e and 54 e inclining with respect to the flow directions.

Therefore, the heat medium can be smoothly introduced, returned, or discharged in the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b by the inclined surfaces 42 e, 43 e, 44 e, 52 e, 53 e and 54 e of the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c. In addition, the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c are integrally formed with the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a attached to the housing 3. Accordingly, the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c can be formed more easily than the case where the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c are integrally provided in the housing 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c are fitted into the openings 41 f, 41 g, 51 f and 51 g of the housing 3. Therefore, spaces between the walls defining the openings 41 f, 41 g, 51 f and 51 g and the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c are small or eliminated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the heat medium from leaking from the spaces between the walls defining the openings 41 f, 41 g, 51 f and 51 g and the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c. Moreover, it is possible to easily position the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c relative to the housing 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the seal members 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 57 a, 57 b and 57 c are provided between the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a and the housing 3. Therefore, the seal members 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 57 a, 57 b and 57 c can regulate the leakage of the heat medium in the housing 3 outside the housing 3 through the spaces between the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a and the housing 3. Moreover, since the seal members 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 57 a, 57 b and 57 c are provided between the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a and the housing 3, the seal members 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 57 a, 57 b and 57 c are unlikely to prevent the insertion of the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c into the housing 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide members 42 and 52 include the protruding portions 42 c and 52 c, and the protruding portions 42 c and 52 c include the inclined surfaces 42 e and 52 e that enlarge the cross sections of the flow passages as the protruding portions 42 c and 52 c are farther from the guide channels 42 f and 52 f. The discharge members 43 and 53 include the protruding portions 43 c and 53 c, and the protruding portions 43 c and 53 c include the inclined surfaces 43 e and 53 e that reduce the cross sections of the flow passages as the protruding portions 43 c and 53 c are closer to the discharge channels 43 f and 53 f. Therefore, the pressure drop upon the introduction of the heat medium from the guide channels 42 f and 52 f to the flow passages 46 a and 56 a decreases and the pressure drop upon the discharge of the heat medium from the flow passages 46 b and 56 b to the discharge channels 43 f and 53 f decreases. Hence, it is possible to introduce and discharge the heat medium to and from the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b more smoothly.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the members 42, 43, 44, 52, 53 and 54 provided with the attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a and the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c are made of resin. Therefore, the members 42, 43, 44, 52, 53 and 54 can be formed in a complicated shape easily compared with those made of metal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heat exchanger 1 includes the thermal members, or Peltier modules 2 for exchanging heat with the heat medium in the flow passages 46 a and 46 b. The thermal member includes: the Peltier device 2 a having a pair of heat sides, one of the heat sides absorbing heat and the other dissipating heat; the first substrate 2 b making contact with the one of the heat sides; and the first fin 2 d provided on the first substrate 2 b, the first fin 2 d being located in the flow passages 46 a and 46 b. Therefore, cold from the one heat side of the Peltier device 2 a is transferred by the first fin 2 d to the heat medium via the first substrate 2 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the thermal member, or Peltier module 2 includes the second substrate 2 c making contact with the other heat side of the Peltier device 2 a, and the second fin 2 e provided on the second substrate 2 c. The housing 3 includes the first case 40 where the flow passages 46 a and 46 b provided with the first fin 2 d therein are formed and the second case 50 where the flow passages 56 a and 56 b provided with the second fin 2 e therein are formed. Therefore, cold from the one heat side of the Peltier device 2 a is transferred by the first fin 2 d to the heat medium in the first cast 4. The heat from the other heat side of the Peltier device 2 a is transferred by the second fin 2 e to the heat medium in the second case 50.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be embodied as follows.

The heat exchange system 10 may be used for the heating or cooling of the interior of a vehicle. When the heat exchange system 10 is used for cooling, the first case 40 is connected to the pipe 22, and the second case 50 is connected to the pipe 21.

The heat exchange system 10 may be used for the air conditioning of the interior of a vehicle, may be used for the cooling or heating of vehicle parts such as a battery, or may be used for the cooling or heating of products other than a vehicle.

The case bodies 41 and 51 may be made of resin or die cast aluminum.

Baffle plates for changing the flow of the heat medium may be integrally provided with the guide members 42 and 52, the discharge members 43 and 53, or the return members 44 and 54.

The elastic members 8 and 9 may or may not be provided between the Peltier module 2 and the case bodies 41 and 51. Alternatively, either of the elastic members 8 and 9 may be provided. Alternatively, the substrates 2 b and 2 c may be elastically held by the case bodies 41 and 51 through a liquid gasket. Alternatively, the small recesses 41 k and 51 k in the case bodies 41 and 51 may be omitted, and elastic members may be provided between the case bodies 41 and 51 and the substrates 2 b and 2 c.

The heat media supplied to the cases 40 and 50 may be fluid or gas.

The cases 40 and 50 may include the case bodies 41 and 51 made of resin and the metal tubes 45 and 55 made of metal. Alternatively, the case bodies 41 and 51 may integrally or separately include the case bodies 41 and 51 made of metal and the metal tubes 45 and 55.

In the housing 3, the flow passages 46 a and 46 b for exchanging heat with the heat absorption side of the Peltier module (thermal member) 2 and the flow passages 56 a and 56 b for exchanging heat with the heat dissipation side of the Peltier module (thermal member) 2 may be formed. Alternatively, only the flow passages 46 a and 46 b on the heat absorption side may be formed and the heat dissipation side may exchange heat with the air, or a flow passage on the heat dissipation side may be formed in another housing. Alternatively, only the flow passages 56 a and 56 b on the heat dissipation side may be formed in the housing 3, and the heat absorption side may exchange heat with the air, or a flow passage on the heat absorption side may be formed in another housing.

The guide member 42 and 52 and the discharge member 43 and 53 may be attached to the first end face 41 c and 51 c or the second end face 41 d and 51 d of the housing 3. The return member 44 and 54 may be attached to the second end face 41 d and 51 d or the first end face 41 c and 51 c of the housing 3. The guide members 42 and 52 and the discharge members 43 and 53 may be attached to the same or different end face of the housing 3. The return members 44 and 54 may be attached to an end face different from or same as an end face of the housing 3 where the guide members 42 and 52 or the discharge members 43 and 53 are attached.

In the housing 3, the parallel two flow passages 46 a and 46 b and 56 a and 56 b may be formed. Alternatively, three or more parallel flow passages may be formed, and the guide members 42 and 52, the discharge members 43 and 53, and the return members 44 and 54, which correspond to the flow passages, may be attached.

The inclined surfaces 42 e, 43 e, 44 e, 52 e, 53 e and 54 e of the protruding portions 42 c, 43 c, 44 c, 52 c, 53 c and 54 c may be flat surfaces or curved surfaces.

The thermal member may be the Peltier module 2, another member that emits heat and supplies the heat to the heat medium, or still another member that absorbs heat and supplies cold to the heat medium.

The attachment portions 42 a, 43 a, 44 a, 52 a, 53 a and 54 a may have a plate shape or another shape.

The thermal member 2 may include the fins 2 d and 2 e extending into the flow-passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b, may include one or more members adjacent to the housing 3 and in contact with the heat media in the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b, or may be adjacent to the housing 3 to exchange heat with the heat media in the flow passages 46 a, 46 b, 56 a and 56 b via the wall surface of the housing 3. 

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of parallel flow passages, the plurality of flow passages including a first end and a second end; a first end face having openings open to the first end of the plurality of flow passages; and a second end face having openings open to the second end of the plurality of flow passages; a guide member fixed to either the first face or the second end face at a position of one of the openings and having a guide channel; a return member, fixed to the first end face in a manner to extend over a pair of the openings in the first end face or fixed to the second end face in a manner to extend over a pair of the openings in the second end face, for connecting the pair of openings in a return manner; and a discharge member fixed to any one of the first face and second end face at the position of one of the openings and having a discharge channel, wherein the plurality of flow passages are connected by the return member into a single flow passage, the guide member is provided in the opening on a most upstream side of the single flow passage, the discharge member is provided in the opening on a most downstream side of the single flow passage, and at least one of the guide member, the return member and the discharge member integrally includes an attachment portion attached to the housing; and a protruding portion protruding more than the attachment portion toward the housing and including an inclined surface inclining relative to a flow direction.
 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is fitted into the opening of the housing.
 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a seal member is provided between the attachment portion and the housing.
 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises the protruding portion, the protruding portion including the inclined surface for enlarging a cross section of the flow passage as the protruding portion is farther from the guide channel, and the discharge member comprises the protruding portion, the protruding portion including the inclined surface for reducing a cross section of the flow passage as the protruding portion is closer to the discharge channel.
 5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the guide, return and discharge members comprising the attachment portion and the protruding portion are made of resin.
 6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal member for exchanging heat with a heat medium in the flow passage, wherein the thermal member includes a Peltier device having a pair of heat sides, one of the heat sides absorbing heat and the other dissipating heat; a first substrate brought into contact with the one of the heat sides; and a first fin provided on the first substrate, the first fin being located in the flow passage.
 7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the thermal member includes a second substrate brought into contact with the other heat side of the Peltier device; and a second fin provided on the second substrate, and the housing includes a first case where the flow passage provided with the first fin therein is formed; and a second case where the flow passage provided with the second fin therein is formed.
 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first case and a second case that are stacked in a thickness direction, wherein each of the first case and the second case has the guide member, the return member and the discharge member.
 9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the flow direction of a heat medium in the first case is opposed to the flow direction of a second heat medium in the second case. 